J Seth is concerned that Phuket residents might lose disaster insurance rights. He held urgent talks with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and the Office of Insurance Commission to clarify criteria, ensuring clear communication, easy understanding, and prompt payments due to claims.
At 2:00 p.m. on 28 Oct 2026 GMT+7, J Seth Thaisetthawat, Deputy Minister of Interior (MoI 3), convened a meeting with Romdon Hayaewa, Deputy Governor of Phuket, Chairat Kaewpiangpen, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DPC), and representatives from the Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) to urgently clarify the criteria and procedures for coverage under the government disaster insurance program. He also emphasized the need for clear, widespread, and easy-to-understand communication to the public.
J Seth said that after visiting Phuket on 27 Oct 2026 GMT+7, he found concerning issues regarding public understanding of the criteria and procedures for disaster insurance rights. This misunderstanding might cause genuinely affected individuals to miss out or face problems when filing claims. Therefore, he urgently called relevant agencies to meet and find solutions to clarify the process so citizens can access coverage rights conveniently and quickly, without adding burdens to those already suffering.
"My concern is that genuinely affected people might lose their rights simply due to incomplete information or unclear knowledge about required evidence. After our field visit identified obstacles, we immediately coordinated with all related agencies to discuss solutions, preventing prolonged issues and ensuring the public receives the most accurate and consistent information," he said.
The OIC explained that applicants must attach at least one and no more than three photos showing flood conditions. They requested cooperation in taking photos that clearly show the house and damage. If the house has a number, the photo should include both the house and number in one frame. For houses without numbers, the system has a field for additional information. Flood photos should show water levels around the house; for flash floods, photos should capture actual damage to support verification and eligibility assessment.
Regarding eligibility, the OIC clarified that this disaster insurance project covers only Thai nationals. In cases of death, compensation will be paid to heirs according to criteria; in cases of disability, payments go directly to the insured individual. All must comply with the program's conditions.
Damage assessment distinguishes flooding inside the house, assessed by criteria for flooded homes, from cases where water surrounds the house, which require verification of actual occupancy and impact on daily living, including time conditions set by the program.
J Seth added that relevant agencies should use this clarified information to communicate widely to the public, especially provincial, district, and local administrative organizations close to the people. This will help provide correct guidance on form filling, document preparation, and eligibility verification, reducing redundant paperwork and preventing citizens from having to make multiple trips.